AN ALCOHOLIC up before the courts for several crimes said the ‘frightening’ time spent in prison on remand had made him determined to quit drinking and change his ways.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ryan Leech grabbed the breast of a female pub worker at the beginning of December, failed to provide a breath specimen for analysis later in the month and launched a brutal and prolonged attack on his partner in a Blackpool hotel in January.

In a letter he was allowed to read to the court Leech, of Rishton, who appeared via a video link, said the time he had spent in prison on remand had “totally opened my eyes”.

“It has been the most frightening experience of my life with the level of violence and drug use I have seen,” he said.

“Being in prison has caused me to realise my alcoholism has to end. I feel guilt and shame towards all those who have been affected by my behaviour. I hope the court can show leniency and give me the chance to work with probation and get the help I now know I need.”

Leech, 29, of Bridgefield Close, Rishton, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, causing his partner actual bodily harm and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was jailed for eight weeks for the driving offence and banned from driving for 48 months.

He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on the other matters after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the sexual assault happened in a Blackburn town centre pub. The female supervisor realised Leech was drunk after he had been served and drank a double vodka and coke. She asked him to leave and as she held the door open he slapped her on the backside.

“He went outside but returned and said he just wanted to touch her,” said Mrs Yates. “He put his hand on her breast and after slapping his hand away she called the police.”

Mrs Yates said Leech and his partner arrived at a Blackpool hotel at 9pm on January 2 and he began to drink.

“He quickly became a nuisance and was asked to leave,” said Mrs Yates. “His partner stayed at the hotel and went to sleep.”

Two hours later the receptionist told his partner that Leech had returned and seemed calmer. She went to see him but he became agitated again and punched her in the face, knocking her unconscious.

When she came to she went back to her room and he had left the hotel again. He returned in the early hours and begged her.

“He kept saying he loved her but when she said she was worried about her dad seeing her black eye he said she didn’t have one,” said Mrs Yates. “He then punched her several times, knocking her onto the bed, where he bit her ear. She feared he was going to bite it off.”

The police had been called by the receptionist and Leech was arrested.

On the day of the driving offence police received information about a possible drink-driver on a scooter.

Leech tried to get away from police but fell off his bike. He tried to run away but tripped up and was arrested. He gave a roadside breathalyser reading of 90 but failed to provide a sample at the police station.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had long-standing difficulties with alcohol.

“He has periods where he abstains but he binge drinks,” said Mr Taylor. “When he starts he finds it hard to stop and that usually only ends when he is arrested.”